Strengthening the Florida Uniform Statewide Building Code by requiring mitigation improvements on all new construction where winds of 120 miles per hour or greater are predicted — including in areas up to five miles inland from all coastlines — has the active support of the Florida Insurance Council (FIC).

According to a white paper issued before the start of this legislative session, FIC will urge legislators to pass changes affecting shutters, impact-resistant glass, internal pressurization, distance from the coastline, and the like to help offset the costly and damaging effects of big storms. FIC also supports legislation to repeal the so-called Panhandle Carveout that currently exempts the counties from Franklin westward to Escambia from the stricter building codes. Those counties only require property one mile or less from the coast to have window and garage door protections.

FIC announced it will push for legislative repeal of the internal pressurization option to shutters or other opening protections in windborne debris regions.